Austin Lee Lenard February 4, 1959 ~ March 15, 2025 (age 66

A graveside committal service for Austin Lenard, 66, of Portales, will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, March 31st in the Portales Cemetery.

Austin was born Feb. 4, 1959 in Portales, to Edna “Elaine (Shults) and Alton Morris Lenard and died at his home on Mar. 15, 2025.  Austin was a 1977 graduate of Portales High School.  Following high school, he enlisted in the US Navy.  While in the service he was married briefly, but later divorced.  Following his discharge, he began working as a long haul truck driver.  For several years, he made his home in Amarillo.  While living there he was married to Darlene Kingston.  The couple had a daughter together before divorcing after 13 years.

After his divorce, Austin returned to Portales and drove for Dan Price for several years delivering grain to local dairies.  In the early 2000’s he began driving for K. Barnett Construction.  In addition to driving trucks, Austin did mechanic work and anything else the company required.  He retired about 5 years ago after nearly 20 years with the company.

Mr. Lenard enjoyed working on cars and tinkering with almost anything that was broken.  If he did not know how to fix it, he would somehow figure it out.  In recent years, he had redone the inside of his home in western motif.  He also collected western décor for his home.  All his life he loved to dance, and his CB handle was “Fancy Dancer.”

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Victoria and John McGinnis of Amarillo, TX; four grandchildren, Cheyenne, Caira, Bruce and John Lee McGinnis; three step-children; his mother, Elaine Erwin of San Jon, NM; two brothers, Preston Lenard of Clovis and Michael (Michelle) Erwin of San Jon; and a sister, Latisha; as well as several nieces and nephews including Melinda.  He was preceded in death by his father, as well as his step-father Roland Erwin.

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